DOVER (Jan. 24, 2014) – To achieve public compliance through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and public safety, DNREC Natural Resources Police, Division of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Agents between Jan. 14-20 made 723 contacts with anglers, hunters, boaters and the general public, including 33 vessel boardings for boating safety/hunting and fishing regulation compliance checks. Agents responded to 28 complaints and issued 26 citations, 10 of them due to increased Fish and Wildlife Enforcement presence at the C&D Canal Conservation Area and the affiliated recreational trail currently under construction.

Incidents of particular note included:

·Fish & Wildlife Agents arrested two men January 19 for criminal violations involving graffiti at the C&D Canal Conservation Area. Alejandro Hernandez, 31, and Luis E. Gutierrez, 27, both of Bear, initially fled the scene on foot but were soon taken into custody after a search conducted by Fish & Wildlife Enforcement agents, Delaware Park Rangers, and the Delaware State Police Aviation Unit. Both were taken to Justice of the Peace Court 11 and each was arraigned on one count of graffiti, one count of possession of graffiti implements, one count of conspiracy in the third degree, and one count of resisting arrest. They were released on $5,000 unsecured bond after transferring the case to the New Castle Court of Common Pleas for trial at a later date.

·William J. Winkler, 37, of Frankford was arrested January 14 and charged with six wildlife violations following an investigation of illegal hunting near Selbyville. Charges filed consisted of: illegal migratory bird hunting hours, two counts of possession of unlawful game, possession of untagged Canada geese, possession of untagged Canada geese killed by another hunter, and over the limit of Canada geese. Winkler was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 3 and released on $1500 unsecured bond pending a later trial date.

Citations issued by violation type included the following, with the number of charges in parentheses:

Operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway in a state wildlife area, New Castle (1); Operating an uninsured motor vehicle, New Castle (1); Graffiti, New Castle (2); Possession of graffiti implements, New Castle (2); Resisting arrest, New Castle (2).

Are you AWARE?

DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Section reminds hunters and trappers of new wildlife regulations that establish coyote hunting and trapping seasons and of a Secretary’s Order that allows landowners to shoot coyotes that present an unlikely threat to human safety, livestock or pets.

Effective January 11, 2014, the new regulations allow coyotes to be harvested during the Sept. 1 to end of February hunting season and the Dec. 1 through March 10 trapping season. In addition to regular hunting and trapping requirements, specific coyote firearm and trap use requirements apply and harvested coyotes must be reported to the Division within one business day of harvest at (302) 735-3600. The new wildlife regulations are posted on DNREC’s website.

Also effective January 11, 2014, landowners are authorized to conditionally shoot coyotes on their property all year, with no individual permit or hunting license needed, under unlikely circumstances where coyotes present an imminent threat or are causing injury to humans, livestock or pets. Firearm type and safety provisions apply and harvested coyotes must be reported to the Division of Fish & Wildlife within one business day of harvest at (302) 735-3600. The complete Secretary’s Order is posted on DNREC’s website.

The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife recognizes and thanks the majority of anglers, hunters and boaters who comply with and support Delaware’s fishing, hunting and boating laws and regulations. Citizens are encouraged to report fish and wildlife and boating violations to the Delaware Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Section by calling 302-739-4580. Wildlife violations may also be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030 or online at www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/Hunting/Pages/OpGameTheft.aspx.